New Labour, New Local Government?

Abstract

Until quite recently, New Labour’s policy on local government had rather a low profile. Understandably, much of the constitutional debate had focused on devolution to Scotland and Wales. The situation has now changed. A number of consultation papers and white papers have been published. Various ministerial statements have been made outlining government policy. A preliminary reading of these proposals might give one the impression that local government is about to undergo a renaissance after what has generally been regarded as 18 years of increasingly centralized restrictions imposed by successive Conservative governments.